Tanker (LNG) voyage charter

The Military Sealift Command (MSC), a division of the Department of the Navy, is conducting market research through a Sources Sought Notice to identify potential vendors for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker voyage charter. The procurement seeks U.S. flag or foreign flag vessels capable of transporting a minimum of 50,000 MMBTU of LNG from Portland Bight, Jamaica to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for terminal cooldown and storage tank filling. Vessels must meet specific technical specifications including maximum displacement of 41,000 metric tons, length overall of 256 meters, laden draft of 10 meters, and gross volumetric capacity between 4,000 to 15,000 cubic meters, with additional requirements for pump-out pressure of 150 PSIG and unloading rate of 250 cubic meters per hour. Interested parties must provide company information including small business status, detailed vessel specifications with flag designation, and both lump-sum and demurrage rates. Responses are due by 1100 hours Eastern Time on Thursday, April 16, 2026, submitted via email to Jordan Morrison at JORDAN.A.MORRISON5.CIV@US.NAVY.MIL.

This is a standard market research notice with no set-aside designation, and no incumbent contractor or award value is specified at this stage. Discharge operations will occur at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Pier C during daylight hours only at a rate of 250 cubic meters per hour, excluding Sundays and holidays, with three potential laycan window periods: April 27 – May 1, 2026; May 18–22, 2026; and June 8–12, 2026. The small business size standard for water transportation services under NAICS 483111 is 1,050 employees, which will determine eligibility classifications for respondents. Vendors must demonstrate capacity to perform mooring analysis meeting UFC 4-159-03 Mooring Service Type I requirements and provide vessels with flanged connections featuring powered emergency release couplings compatible with 6-inch LNG hose systems and saturated pressure between 5–20 PSIG. This Sources Sought Notice represents the initial phase of procurement development, with formal solicitation expected to follow based on market research findings.